1. FIERY TRIALS & THE WILL OF GOD 1 Peter 4:12—19

2. IN YOUR TRIALS BELIEVER, BE ENCOURAGED TO ENTRUST YOURSELF TO GOD AND CONTINUE TO DO GOOD. Spiritual Life Principle:

3. Trials are for our testing: Hardship will come. Expect them, anticipate them, watch for them. Hardship produces godliness: Romans 5:3—5; James 1:2—3. “Fiery Ordeal.” A figurative usage here meaning “painful, severe suffering.”

4. Trials allow us to share Christ’s sufferings. A “share,” a portion in. To the degree we suffer physically or emotionally because of our faith we participate in the sufferings of Jesus. In this we REJOICE! Because we are God’s children: Romans 8:17

5. Trials reveal that we are blessed by God. Again, we must adopt an inverted view of reality. We suffer because of the Name of Jesus: Matt. 5:11; Luke 6:22; James 2:7; John 15:18. BUT we must not suffer for being sinners! If we do, our suffering is pointless!

6. Trials remind us of the judgment to come. Peter has been stating this all along: 1:6—7; 3:7 and now. Judgment begins with believers because God is purifying their lives. Hebrews 12:7ff. Our perspective should be: Romans 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:16—17. So then, we entrust ourselves to God and keep up the good work. 1 Peter 4:19.

7. Spiritual Life Principle Application: In your trials, be encouraged to trust God and continue doing good. I will be encouraged because I understand that my trials are for my good. I will rejoice in my trials because they are a sharing in the sufferings of Jesus. I will surrender my will to God’s will and continue to do what is right and good. I will keep watch over my life so that my example before men is honorable.